Google Pixel Tag Goes on Sale for $29.99 as an AirTag Rival

Design and features

The Pixel Tag is slimmer and more elongated than the round AirTag. It measures 1.1 inches wide, 1.8 inches tall and 0.2 inches deep, against 1.26 inches and 0.31 inches for the AirTag. It weighs 0.4 oz with the battery. The body is stainless steel with IP67 water and dust resistance, rated to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. It pairs with Android 9 or newer through Fast Pair.

Google did not mention NFC at the August announcement, but the tag supports it. Unlike on the AirTag, tapping the tag opens its settings rather than the owner's contact page. Tags set to "Lost" mode instead share the owner's email, number and a short message, and the item is marked as found automatically when it returns within range of the phone.

Network and battery

For items that are out of range, the tag relies on Google's crowdsourced network of more than a billion Android devices, which relay its location to a map in Find Hub. A tag's location can be shared with up to 10 people, useful for something like family car keys.

The tag uses a user-replaceable CR2032 coin cell, which Google says lasts up to a year initially. It comes in silver and pale green, and costs $29.99 individually or $99.99 for a four-pack. Bellroy is launching keychain cases in several colors and styles, also sold on the Google Store.